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If you are traveling to the Charles River Reservation from
outside Boston, please click here for directions for
parking in DCR lots.
The Charles River Basin
The Charles River Basin is bounded upstream
by a low dam above Watertown Square and a large dam and pumping
station near North Station in Boston.
The parkland on the north and south banks of the river is set
off by DCR Parkways: on the north (Watertown and Cambridge)
side by Charles River Road, Greenough Boulevard, and Memorial
Drive; on the south (Newton, Allston and Boston) side by Nonantum
Road, Soldiers Field Road, and Storrow Drive.
Some of the larger open spaces and major structures along
the basin are individually named and briefly described below.
Paul Dudley White Bike Path
White was one of America’s best known doctors and an
avid cyclist. In 1960 he persuaded the metropolitan park commissioners
to allow bikes on the Esplanade for one year (they were banned
at the time), and seven years later the ban was discontinued.
Between 1971 and 1982 the paths were extended to Watertown
Square on both sides of the river, making a continuous loop
around the basin.
The Boston side of the Charles River Basin
The Boston Esplanade
Officially dedicated as the James J. Storrow Memorial Embankment
in 1936, the most famous park along the river is universally
known as the Esplanade. Built on made land, the Boston Esplanade
extends from the old dam near Leverett Circle to the
Boston University Bridge.
The Hatch Memorial Shell
Concerts were given in the metropolitan parks beginning early
in the twentieth century. In 1929 Arthur Fiedler conducted
the first concerts of the Boston Pops in a temporary shell.
The current structure was completed in 1940 as a memorial
to Edward Hatch. The shell is located between the Longfellow
and Massachusetts Avenue Bridges. For schedule of events
see the Events
Page.
Lederman Park
Opposite Mass. General Hospital, Lederman Park and the Teddy
Ebersol Red Sox Fields provide youth soccer, baseball,
and soccer fields for organized play.
Nashua Street Park
A narrow strip of waterfront between the Science Park MBTA
station and Spaulding Hospital, the park offers a magnificent
view of the Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge. It also includes a
granite spiral surrounded by a ring of water misting jets.
Herter
Park
Upstream
of the Eliot Bridge the riverfront is named Herter Park. The
area includes the Herter Center, the Mary C. Herter Memorial
Public Garden, and the Publick Theatre. The park address is
1175A Soldiers Field Road, Brighton.
Artesani Playground
The largest playground along the river is adjacent to one of
the largest areas of public parking. Has a modern spray pool/water
playground.
Daly Recreation Center
Lighted fields are available for football, softball, and rugby.
Nearby are the operations of Community Rowing.
The Charlestown/Cambridge/Watertown Side of
the Charles River Basin
Paul Revere Park
A large oval lawn area with a grass stage had made park the
site of occasional concerts and special events.
North Point Park
The park includes extensive areas of grasses and perennials
and a large playground with a waterplay fountain for children.
Granite paving hints at the railroads that used to cross
the river where the park has been built on made land.
The Front and Cambridge Parkway
A small park managed by the City of Cambridge includes the
sculpture “Gate House” by Lloyd Hamrol.
The Cambridge Esplanade
Between the Longfellow and the Boston University Bridges is
the Cambridge Esplanade, though the name is almost never
used.
Magazine Beach
Once a popular area for ruver swimming, this section of the
riverfront now includes playing fields and a public pool.
Riverbend Park
From the last Sunday in April through the second Sunday in November, Memorial Drive is closed
to vehicles from Western Avenue to the Eliot Bridge.
Kennedy Park
The five-acre
memorial is landscaped with plants that bloom in May, the month
of John F. Kennedy’s birthday, and granite markers include
excerpts from his speeches.
The Upper Charles River Reservation
Two granite pillars mark the entrance to the Upper
Charles River Reservation in Watertown Square. A
continuous pathway runs along the river banks to the Moody
Street Bridge in Waltham.
Nahanton Park
This City of Newton park gives excellent canoe access to DCR's
Cutler Park. Hiking trails and canoe dock.
Allison Park
This City of Newton active recreation facility includes an exercise
station, public bocce courts, soccer and baseball courts. It
provides easy access to the Upper Charles River Reservation.
Auburndale Park
This City of Newton park fronts the river with formal picnic
areas, informal beach (no swimming) area, playground, tennis
courts and ballfields. Good canoe access.
Landry Park
Landry Park at Waltham Center provides
a pleasant open space next to the Charles River Museum of Industry.
Lakes District
The dam at Moody Street in Waltham creates the "Lakes District", an
extensive water area and flooded meadow which offers excellent canoeing and winter
ice fishing. Small boats can be launched at Woerd Avenue.
Forest Grove
Forest Grove in Newton is an area of open woods for nature
study, picnicking or just relaxing. Superb views and cool
breezes can be enjoyed by bird watchers and fishermen alike.
Fishing and hiking are offered at the park.
Hemlock Gorge
Hemlock Gorge is located between Newton and Upper
Falls and Needham. The park is dominated by a steep gorge,
the river, its surrounding stands of hemlock trees and Echo
Bridge, a huge granite and brick structure that spans the
river and gorge.
Cutler Park
Cutler Park is the largest
remaining fresh water marsh on the middle Charles. Located
in Needham and Dedham, the marsh and small lake attract over
100 species of birds which make the park a prime spot for
nature study. Other activities suitable to this wetland preserve
are hiking, canoeing and fishing.
Riverdale Park
Passive open space park in Dedham/West Roxbury.
Brook Farm Historic Site
This National Historic Landmark located in West Roxbury is 179
acres of rolling fields, woodland and wetland and was the location
of the experimental society of Transcendentalists who lived
on the farm in the 1840's. |
